The North Country’s own Darrel Aubertine provided the latest twist in the Senate stand off today. He’s suing the state Assembly.<\/p>\n
I’ll repeat that: Darrel Aubertine filed a lawsuit with the New York State Supreme Court demanding the Assembly recognize the bills passed by the Senate on June 30th.<\/p>\n
You remember the events of June 30th. That’s when Republican Senator Frank Padavan walked through the chamber to get a drink.<\/p>\n
The Democrats–who were already in session–siezed on this, declared a quorum and started passing bills.<\/p>\n
After this session, Governor Paterson said he wouldn’t sign any of the legislation because:<\/p>\n
A) The Democrats’ claim of a quorum was shaky, and
B) He said any bill passed under the circumstances could too easily be challenged and struck down in the courts.<\/p>\n
If you’re wondering why Aubertine would sue the Assembly, it appears to be a procedural move.<\/p>\n
Forcing the Assembly to recognize the bills triggers a chain of events that would also put the legislation on the Governor’s desk for his signature.<\/p>\n
But, since the Governor already said he wouldn’t sign these bills, Aubertine’s lawsuit raises more questions. Like this one:<\/p>\n
If Aubertine is willing to go to such extraordinary lengths to get ‘Power for Jobs’ and other bills passed, why doesn’t he simply walk into the Senate chamber during a Republican session and vote?<\/p>\n
This wouldn’t require him to switch parties. It would get these bills passed. And it wouldn’t require taxpayers across New York State to pay for another lawsuit. <\/p>\n